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Microsoft's Role in the Next Wave
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Microsoft’s Role in the Next Wave (Premium)

Ambient computing is the "next wave" of personal computing. But what role can Microsoft play…

No, Google isn't running its operations on 100 percent renewable energy. But the firm has reached a major milestone in renewable energy purchasing. "Google’s total purchase of energy from sources like wind and solar [in 2017] exceeded the amount of electricity used by our operations around the world, including offices and data centers," Google's Urs Hölzle writes. "For every kilowatt hour of electricity we consumed, we purchased a kilowatt hour of renewable energy from a wind or solar farm that was built specifically for Google. This makes us the first public Cloud, and company of our size, to have achieved this feat." To be clear, Google has not powered its operations solely with 100 percent renewable energy: Such a feat, it says, is impossible. Instead, it is matching its energy consumption with purchased renewable energy which it returns to a power grid somewhere. "That renewable energy may be produced in a different place, or at a different time, from where we’re running our data centers and offices," Hölzle claims. "What’s important to us is that we are adding new clean energy sources to the electrical system, and that we’re buying that renewable energy in the same amount as what we’re consuming, globally and on an annual basis." Google began purchasing renewable energy in 2010. And in December 2016, the firm announced that it intended to achieve 100 percent renewable energy matching for its global operations in 2017. This achievement is impressive, and it dwarfs similar efforts by companies like Amazon, Microsoft, and Facebook, each of which also maintains massive datacenters around the globe. Microsoft, in particular, has improved its consumption of renewable energy over the past year, but it still trails Amazon and isn't in the same league as Google.

Google Hits a Major Renewable Energy Milestone

No, Google isn't running its operations on 100 percent renewable energy. But the firm has…

Google Introduces Improved Search for Movies

Google's new movie search results makes it dead-easy to plan a movie night.

You Can Now Connect to All Bluetooth Speakers With Google Home

Google now lets users of its Home smart speakers to connect to all Bluetooth speakers…

The First Wear OS Developer Preview Is All About Battery Life

The first Wear OS developer preview from Google is here, and it introduces some interesting…

Google Acquires GIF Platform Tenor

Alphabet's Google is acquiring GIF platform Tenor, will let the firm continue to operate as…

You Can Now Send Money Using Google Assistant

Google is bringing the ability to send payments to Assistant on the phone in the…

Thinking About Google's "Big Bet" on Games
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Thinking About Google’s “Big Bet” on Games (Premium)

Google this week is touting its "big bet" on games and its efforts to transform…

Suddenly, Amazon is Number Two
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Suddenly, Amazon is Number Two (Premium)

Amazon.com this week surpassed Alphabet/Google to become the world's second-largest corporation by market capitalization.

Google Bets Big on Digital News

Google is investing big on the news industry with a new Subscribe with Google program…

Google Assistant Routines Remain a Dream For Now
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The Promise of Google Assistant Routines Remains Unmet (Premium)

Routines represent the second-generation of the digital assistant era, where we move past simple command/response…

Google Assistant Lands on the iPad

Google is bringing Assistant to the iPad as the company continues to bring its virtual…

YouTube Goes Dark on Mobile Devices

Google is bringing a new dark theme to YouTube on the iPhone. Coming soon to…

Chrome Notifications Could Finally Be Coming to the Windows 10 Action Center

Google's Chrome browser could soon start using Windows 10's Action Center for notifications instead of…

You Can Now Send Video Messages Using Google Duo

Google brings voicemail-like video messages to Duo, but you probably don't have anyone to send…

Google Clips Goes on Sale

Google's $249 Clips camera goes on sale in the United States, promises complete privacy with…

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